The Capitals found themselves in a run-and-gun game with the Stars, and they couldn't get the job done.
WASHINGTON — In a game filled with milestones and goals aplenty, the Washington Capitals heard Jimmy Eat World's "The Middle" play twice, its "it just take some time... everything will be all right" message resonated at times in a run-and-gun game. Things went the distance, though, and the Capitals couldn't edge the Dallas Stars.
Strome's two-goal game, as well as Alex Ovechkin's 1,500th career point, a multi-point effort from Aliaksei Protas and a strong game from Charlie Lindgren, wasn't enough in a 5-4 shootout loss.
Here are all the takeaways from the defeat:
Strome Comes In Clutch For 100th Career Goal, Ovechkin Gets 1,500th Point.
Strome has been helping carry the Capitals' offense all season amid team-wide struggles to score, and he again led the way on Thursday en route to two points for D.C.
The 26-year-old stepped up in the second period and fired a quick shot off a puck stuck at Wilson's feet to give his team the upper hand, and later in the game after the Stars had tied the game on a power play, Strome made the Capitals' PP chance count as he sniped a quick shot past Scott Wedgewood to reclaim the lead for Washington.
Strome is the first player to hit double digits in goal for D.C., and his second of the game was also his 100th career goal.
Meanwhile, Ovechkin picked up the secondary assist on Strome's second goal for his 1,500th career NHL point.
Kuznetsov & Protas Help Spark Capitals Offense On Milestone-Filled Night
Meanwhile, Kuznetsov had the revenge game he came into Monday looking for, and it started with a breakaway.
As the Russian went 1-on-1 with the goaltender, he wasn't just feeling the pressure from the backchecking Dallas Stars defenseman, but the weight of a healthy scratch and critics wondering what he'd do in his first game back in the mix for the Washington Capitals. Then, with the quick deke of his stick, all of that pressure evaporated as he slid the puck past Wedgewood for a memorable goal in his 700th NHL game.
It was the best possible outcome for Kuznetsov, who came into Thursday hungry and eager to show Washington what he could do.
The 31-year-old was a force to be reckoned with and made himself stand out with his speed, playmaking and puck-carrying ability. Not only did it pay off with a breakaway goal in the second period, but he also had a couple of other strong chances, including an impressive play where he went coast-to-coast before ringing iron.
Meanwhile, Protas stayed red-hot as the team's 5-on-5 scoring leader, posting his fourth multi-point game of the season (tied with Ovechkin).
The 6-foot-6 winger's first goal came on a strange bounce, where he played the puck to the crease from behind the net but saw his pass go off a defender and off Wedgewood and in. Later, he added a secondary assist on Strome's first goal.
His line with Connor McMichael and Anthony Mantha also continues to impress, generating speed, zone time and high-danger opportunities on a consistent basis.
Defensive Breakdowns Costly In Back & Forth Battle, Lindgren Busy
The Capitals were in a run-and-gun game with Dallas and, despite leading on a couple of occasions, couldn't lock things down as the defense played a bit too loose in front of Charlie Lindgren, who was kept busy.
Two goals came with the other wing left completely open and exposed, as Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchemnt struck on one-timers.
Lindgren stopped 45 of 38 shots in the defeat.
Penalty Kill Struggles Continue, Power Play Gets Semi-Different Look
The penalty kill heated up big time in November after going 10 games without allowing a goal, but of late, it's sprung a leak, and it proved costly.
Tom Wilson took a goaltender interference penalty to start the third period, and the Stars made the most of it as Roope Hintz scored on an errant bounce that went off Lindgren's pad and up and over the netminder before ending up in the back of the net.
The penalty kill has now surrendered a goal in five of the last seven games.
Meanwhile, the power play got a different look, as Ovechkin moved up from the office and would be planted right in front of the crease, with Wilson also serving as a screen.
Ultimately, Ovechkin picked up a secondary assist as Strome got the power play, which ended a lengthy drought against Anaheim before drying up again in the last two games, going again. It went 1-for-3 on the night, and couldn't score on a late opportunity in OT at 4-on-3.
It marked the Capitals' first power-play goal on home ice in over five weeks.